Devotion 8.19.26

Isaiah 51:1 - 6

The Lord's Comfort for Zion

1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,

  you who seek the Lord:

look to the rock from which you were hewn,

  and to the quarry from which you were dug.

4 “Give attention to me, my people,

  and give ear to me, my nation;

for a law will go out from me,

  and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples.

5 My righteousness draws near,

  my salvation has gone out,

  and my arms will judge the peoples;

the coastlands hope for me,

  and for my arm they wait.

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

  and look at the earth beneath;

for the heavens vanish like smoke,

  the earth will wear out like a garment,

  and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;

but my salvation will be forever,

  and my righteousness will never be dismayed.

God's arm of justice will give salvation. He is the rock of our salvation, the foundation of our faith. 

There are certain words we have that, upon hearing them, have meaning without looking them up or reading it more closely to find the context. Today, words like "liberty," "rights," and "freedom" bring to a citizen of the US meaning without looking them up. They serve us and are a beacon of hope to a world, much of which needs this hope. You may argue that meaning is only conveyed when taught and learned, and I wouldn't say you are wrong. You might even say that the true meaning of the words can be distorted if not taught correctly, and I would agree.

Today's passage to the hearer of God's Word, then and today, has such words in it.

Rock - Israel is very familiar with this metaphor "rock" given its history as stonecutters for pharaoh and for the building of its own temple. "Rock" is solid, conveys strength, and God is our rock, our fortress. God is our rock and our salvation. Our faith (read later this week in Matthew 16) is built upon this rock, this confession. This rock is our creator, our deliverer, and the foundation of our faith (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

Arm - strength. Yesterday in Psalm 138, specifically God's "right arm" means the servant who sits at the right hand of the Father. God veils this in today's passage with the reference to the arm(s) delivering judgement and salvation (Christ - the right hand of God).

Salvation - God's steadfast love. God's salvation, Christ, his Son, our Lord, goes out as a light to the world. This light shine through us, his servants, daily. I cannot be extinguished. It shines regardless of how dark the world seems at times. Only through him do we have eternal life.

God delivers justice through his Son, his arm of justice. Our sentences are suspended; our sins are separated from us as far as east is from west. Our salvation is from Christ alone, our beacon of hope. He is our rock, our salvation.

God established this foundation of our faith through his steadfast love. It is the rock of our salvation through this confession of faith.

Oh give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His steadfast love endures forever. 

Amen

Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He created us to be.